The on campus program is suspended. The program through High School Career and Technology Studies was suspended as of July 2015.

(A non-credit program will be offered through Continuing Education.)

Health Care Aides may work in continuing care, in clients' homes or in hospital.

This program prepares the graduate to work in the full role of the Health Care Aide, in acute care facilities, continuing care facilities as well as in clients' homes.

The HCA program consists of a variety of learning approaches including clinical practice supervised by a program instructor in a continued care facility. Following the supervised clinical practice students are required to complete a preceptored clinical experience. Graduates complete the approved Alberta Health & Wellness Health Care Aide 2010 curriculum and are certified as Health Care Aides in Alberta.

High School Career and Technology Studies Route

The Health Care Aide - High School CTS Route is designed for high school students who wish to take the CTS health studies stream to complete the requirements for the Health Care Aide program. RDC partners with high schools to offer the content from the HCA provincial curriculum that is not already part of the CTS health stream. Students begin the program by registering for the CTS health studies courses then register at RDC to take the additional courses to receive an RDC, HCA credential. The program will prepare graduates to work in institutional and community settings.

1. Successful completion of ELA 10-1 or ELA 10-2 or an equivalent (or equivalency testing) OR G.E.D.
2. Immunization to be completed prior to program start.

Note: Applicants whose first language is not English must demonstrate English language proficiency in addition to the program admission requirements.

Note: While not an admission requirement for the program, applicants are advised that they will be required to provide a Police Information Check (also known as a Criminal Record Check) including a Vulnerable Sector Check to most agencies where they will be placed for practicum experiences. The existence of police information or a criminal record may prevent practicum placement, program completion, professional licensure and therefore affect future employment prospects. It is the decision of each agency or institution to accept or reject a student for placement or observation experience based on the results of the police information check.

Students must successfully complete all required courses, including practicum and preceptorship, and receive a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0.

HCA 141 Working Safely and Effectively as a HCA
HCA 142 Communication in a Health Care Environment
HCA 143 Structure & Function of the Human Body-Health & Chronic Illness
HCA 144 Providing Client Care & Comfort
HCA 145 Meeting Complex Care Needs
HCA 146 Assisting with Medication Delivery
HCA 147 Special Activities for Diverse Clients
HCA 122 HCA Supervised Clinical Practice
HCA 123 HCA Preceptored Clinical Practice

High School Caree and Technology Studies Route

Block recognition for the following CTS Health Studies Courses:
HSS 1010 Health & Wellness Foundations
HSS 1020 Nutrition & Wellness
HCS 1050 Musculoskeletal System I
HCS 1060 Digestive System
HCS 1070 Respiratory System
HCS 1080 Cardiovascular System
HCS 1100 Infection & Immunity I
HCS 1110 Infection & Immunity 2
HCS 2020 First Air/CPR with AED
HCS 2050 Nervous System & Senses
HCS 2060 Endocrine System
CCS 2010 Health Care 1
CCS 3030 Aging and Frailty
CCS 3010 Health Care 2
CCS 3020 Health Care 3
HCA 122 Health Care Aide Supervised Clinical
Practice
HCA 123 Health Care Aide Preceptored Clinical
Practice
HCA 124 HCA Theory - CTS Route